Jump to new as of November 9, 1998
Jump to new as of November 13, 1998
Chapter 1
Bright lights swirled through the fog-machine-induced smoke that wafted around the stage in lazy circles. The crowd cheered, not knowing what to expect. The lights switched from white to blue, and the cheering grew exponentially louder as the crowd grew impatient. Murmurs came up from the masses, ranging from vague annoyance to flat out incredulity because this was just the opening band.
The lead singer stepped out finally, his emaciated body clad in leather pants and a white T-shirt, hair stuck to his head in a gelled clump. The first song began and the crowd was jumping, screaming, crowd surfing, and cheering. It was the title track of the up and coming band Ramsgate, entitled "Womanhunter." For an opening band, they were rather good.
Until the unexpected happened. On the fifth song of the night the lead singer, George Wickham, had an odd, completely disturbing voice crack. His voice, normally deep and raspy, turned high and wavered ever so slightly. It did not stop for two more songs, and wildly, George thought maybe he sounded like Prince. The crowd laughed hysterically and from somewhere behind the stage, the ticket band singer frowned and reminded himself to get rid of Ramsgate as soon as possible, perhaps even for the next venue. The worst part about it was that George was set to play backup guitar for Bad Temper, the ticket band.
William Darcy, lead singer of Bad Temper and founder of his own record label, Pemberley Records, had been having problems with George Wickham and Ramsgate that had spanned beyond the current tour. William had known George since childhood, and because William went into music, so did George. Even worse, William had promised his father that he'd look after George, perhaps help him by signing him on Pemberley. William followed his father's wishes until the day he died, and now he was paying dearly for it.
Ramsgate attracted negative press wherever the tour stopped. They were a mediocre band compared to Bad Temper, and many critics wondered why Pemberley picked up Ramsgate on the label or toured with them in the first place. William rubbed his eyes and straightened the blue satin shirt he had just put on for the performance. Making up his mind at long last, he vowed to find a new band to open and new talent to sign. He'd send his scout, Charles Bingley, and his guitarist, Richard Fitzwilliam to go look and evaluate some up and coming bands.
Ramsgate finished their set and the crowd, more impatient than ever, waited for Bad Temper to finally come on and erase the memory of George Wickham. A half an hour later, they were not disappointed. Bad Temper was one of the best new bands on the circuit. William Darcy's voice was deep, and he knew how to rock. Richard Fitzwilliam was one of the most talented guitar players in the business, and Charles Bingley was a better than mediocre bassist in addition to a scout. The drummer, Denny Watson, was amazing, but rumor had it that he was getting married and leaving the band. A new drummer might also be something to look for, William mused after the show as he walked to his dressing room, poised and ready just in case his "Number One Fans" Caroline Bingley and Louisa Hurst were preparing to jump him. Charles' sisters had enough money to follow him anywhere and they always did. Caroline considered herself to be the biggest Bad Temper groupie, but William had heard from inside sources that she was a giant fan of techno music like the Backstreet Boys and wished he sang like that. William shuddered at the thought and decided that the very next day he'd begin looking.
Chapter 1 B
Exasperated, Elizabeth Bennet slowly set her blue Fender guitar down next to the amp and silently tapped her foot.
"Sorry," Charlotte Lucas apologized, shrugging. She blushed almost immediately when she realized that she had forgotten to plug in the microphone and she had knocked over the cymbals on the drums, too. It wasn't that Charlotte was a bad drummer, she could keep a steady beat and her fills weren't too bad. The problem was that she was nothing special, and all the band members knew that Elizabeth Bennet could make it big if she could only break into the business. With her carrying the band on her shoulders, it was possible they all could make it too.
The band was called Lizard, and it was Elizabeth's pet ever since Elizabeth, Charlotte, and Elizabeth's sister Jane went to college. During college, it was a nice diversion and good for a few dollars, but Elizabeth wanted to get a break. If she didn't, she could become a mathematics professor, but with her talent at keyboard and guitar, it would be a waste of a fine musician.
Jane had a strong soprano voice that matched well with Elizabeth on backup, while Emma Woodhouse played bass and guitar in case Elizabeth turned to the keyboard. Lizard was heading at a small club that night in downtown Connecticut, the Longborn. It was not a great venue, but it was a job nonetheless. The problem was that Charlotte was having a clumsy day and something kept going wrong.
They had their song list planned, with a new song that Charlotte wrote called "Love is for Suckers." It had a heavy guitar riff usually found in male bands, but Elizabeth could handle it. Frowning ever so slightly, Elizabeth almost wished they weren't playing that song, because even though the lyrics were funny, Jane couldn't sing them angry enough and Charlotte couldn't prepare to sing them in less than 6 hours.
At 8, Lizard walked into Longborn and went backstage. The owner of the club approached them with a huge grin on his face. "They say a scout is going to be here tonight, so if you ladies make your big break tonight, my little club will be in the spotlight."
Elizabeth laughed and tossed her long, curly brown hair over her shoulder. "If we make our big break, someday we'll buy this club," she joked, pursing her dark red lips. "If you'll excuse us, we'll begin getting ready if the crew is going to set us up."
"No problem, Lizzy," the owner answered, and slowly, Elizabeth, Charlotte, Jane and Emma began getting ready for the night. Elizabeth wore a blue tank top with satin pants, Emma a red tank top with satin pants, and Jane a little black dress with knee-high Dr. Martens. A medium sized crowd gathered because Lizard was a local favorite, and an excited murmur rose through the crowd. It seemed that somewhere in the building, all of Bad Temper waited to scout Lizard! People strained to catch a glimpse of William and Richard, but to no avail as they stood in the back wearing baseball caps and generic t-shirts, baggy jeans and steel-toed boots. Blonde pretty boy Charles might have stood out, but on a whim they dyed his hair blue and he was virtually unrecognizable.
Chapter 1 C
Lizard came on-stage and Charles tried to watch objectively but found himself staring at the lead singer in the little black dress and the legs attached to the Dr. Martens. He pulled at his collar, causing Richard to laugh.
"Papa Smurf, is this a vote in the affirmative for signing Lizard?"
"What?" Charles shouted over the music, clearly unable to read Richard's lips. He toyed with the eyebrow ring in his right eyebrow, concentrating on the boots. He looked at his own Dr. Martens and was convinced it was love at first sight. Whoever the lead singer of Lizard was, she was more than enough reason to bring them on tour.
William could not take his eyes off of Elizabeth Bennet. She was not pretty like the lead singer, but she was striking. Her ears glinted with earrings, dark curls in a knot on top of her head held with two silver sticks, and her guitar playing amazed him so that he had a hard time keeping his mouth shut. Willing himself not to pay attention to her face or he'd have to go out and get some air, he closed his eyes momentarily to listen to the music. When he opened them again, Richard was smirking bemusedly.
Richard looked at him knowingly. "Good," he mouthed, nodding.
William shrugged apathetically. "Sure, they're good, I guess." He tried to play his blush as the heat of the room, and wiped his brow under the baseball cap.
Richard rolled his eyes. "Of course they're good, man! But look at them!"
William nodded again. "I'm trying to evaluate their music, Richard," he admonished. "And I think they're okay."
"The one with the dark hair is the best female guitar player I've seen," Charles interjected, snapping from his reverie, "and that includes Courtney Love. Besides, look at that lead singer. Her voice isn't bad."
"Not bad, not exceptional," William pointed out.
"But good enough to balance out the guitar player. The bassist isn't too shabby. I think the band is good, worthy of Pemberley," Richard declared. "More worthy than Ramsgate."
"We might have to keep Ramsgate," William said dejectedly, "At least until Lizard is up and ready."
Charles nodded. "Can somebody tell me why we dyed my hair blue? I'll bet that lead singer doesn't go for blue hair," he whined.
"I'm sure she does, Charlie, her hair has a green streak," Richard improvised, trying to cheer him up.
"Really?" It took so little to cheer Charles. Charlie frowned. "The drummer isn't the best," he pointed out.
"No," William agreed, "She's not. But she's keeping the beat well enough that the bass can cover."
They made their way slowly to the front of Longborn and headed stealthily behind the door leading backstage. The crowd started cheering once they realized who they were after they had already disappeared. Bad Temper paused in the doorway of a small room behind stage where a tall man stood, smoking a cigarette.
He snuffed it out sheepishly, surprised when he saw the three men. "Hey, don't tell Emma. She'll kill me."
"Emma? Which one is that?" Richard's question was completely innocent, he had no information besides their name and a brief profile of the band.
"My girlfriend. She's the bassist. My name is Jeff Knight. I thought you all looked familiar. The girls were really excited about possibly being scouted. What do you think of them?"
"They're really good," Charlie replied enthusiastically, "I was really surprised. Have they been together long?"
"Has who been together long?" The question was from the doorway where Elizabeth perched, looking at them with a quirked eyebrow. "Lizard? We've been together since sophomore year, which would be three years since. You must be Bad Temper."
Richard grinned and extended his hand, which Elizabeth shook. She smiled at Charlie, who also shook her hand, but William stood moodily on the other side of the room. She made a face. "What side of the bed did you wake up on?"
Jane, Emma, and Charlotte entered the room and introductions were made. Jane edged herself closer to Charlie, much to his delight, and finally William spoke.
"You all know about Pemberley records, right?"
At their nod, he continued. "Well, we're looking for a new band and you guys seem to be what we're looking for. The conditions will be worked out by lawyer, I'm sure, but what we really need is a new opening band to start in a couple weeks and a new name on our label. Would that be something to think about?"
The girls met in the corner and started discussing, and finally Jane broke free. "You've got a deal. Our lawyers will work out money and whatnot, but we'd love to join you."
William pushed up his left sleeve to scratch an itch and Elizabeth had fleeting thoughts about biceps, tattoos, and singers. In a small heart on his left arm, there was the name 'Gina'. Elizabeth admonished herself lightly at the curiosity of who's name it was, why it was there, and why he wasn't just a bit more welcoming.
Chapter 2 A
To: bennet7@ccu.com
From: lizzyard@pemberley.comCheck it out, daddy! We signed with Pemberley records! We'll be touring soon, keep you posted. Kisses, Lizzy.
To: lizzyard@pemberley.com
From: kjb@nwu.eduCongrats, big sis! Mary, Lyds and I are so proud! Give Jane our love, and is it true she's hooking up with Bad Temper's Charlie Bingley? Your ever efficient sister Katie.
To: will322@pemberley.com
From: gadarcy@syru.eduHeard about the new band. Actually, I've heard them. They're damn good, big brother. Nice job! I'll check out your show when you get to NYC. I'll make the drive up from school. Love, your little sister Gina.
It was nearly a week later and Elizabeth was improvising a blues progression on her guitar in the third trailer. Richard knocked on the aluminum door once and then came in anyway with his guitar. "Can I play too?"
Nodding her approval, he sat down with her and plugged himself into the amp. "So," he said, after awhile, "Does your family like that they'll have famous daughters?"
Shrugging slightly, she started strumming a tune softly. "As much as expected. I majored in Calculus and music at Tulane, and I'm sure my dad hoped the band was just a phase. Just like he hoped the earrings were just a phase. Call me crazy, but a math professor was not something I wanted to be at this point. So here I am."
"You get e-mail from your dad, though," Richard pointed out.
Elizabeth smiled. "I get e-mail from all my sisters and my father. I think they're excited that I might be on TV or in the newspaper. My dad knew I had talent, I guess that's why he didn't disown me when I went with Lizard full time."
Nodding, Richard started strumming along with her. From the doorway of the trailer, William stood watching the interaction, cursing his inability to be personable, and cursing his cousin's gift. The way the light glinted off of her silver clips in her long, dark curls was too much for him and he had to do something.
"Hi," he blurted, snapping Richard and Lizzy from their impromptu jam session.
"Hi," Richard said, and Lizzy nodded her greeting with an odd look on her face.
William immediately blushed. "I was just listening to you from outside and I wanted to tell you that you're good. I never told you and I wanted to know. Okay, I'm leaving."
The door was shut before Elizabeth could even thank him, and she looked at Richard quizzically.
"I don't understand him. He gives me the evil eye for a week and now compliments? I guess the public image has inflated his head a little." She shrugged.
"So when do I get to meet Ramsgate? I wanted to laugh at Wickie about that voice crack."
Richard chuckled. "I don't think he'll be around long enough to crack again. Of course, he'll blame William for being completely unfair and whatnot, but don't let him take it out on you. You are replacing him for a reason, you know. They suck. They'll live with it."
Giggling, Elizabeth kissed him on the cheek. "I'm going for food, are you coming?"
Richard shook his head. "No, I need practice. It would seem that you might be better than me and I can't have a girl beat me."
She stuck her tongue out at him and disappeared into the second trailer to find Jane. She wasn't prepared for what she did find, which was Charles and Jane, clothing, and lots of body jewelry. Backing down the stairs to the door, she closed it and ran directly into William.
"Sorry," she apologized, blushing. He had no shirt on. "Don't go in there. Help me make a DO NOT DISTURB sign, okay?"
"But, but," he sputtered, "My clothes are in there. I have no shirt on and somebody swiped my towel from the shower."
Elizabeth squinted at him, and blushing again awkwardly, she noticed she sheen of water on his defined torso. She swallowed thickly. "Why don't you come with me? I'll get you one of my towels. I'm sure I have a T-shirt you could wear, too."
Blushing furiously now, she wondered if he had just thrown his pants on after the shower too and was both relieved and disappointed that he hadn't just thrown on boxers or something of the like. Elizabeth stuck her shaking hands into her pockets and gestured toward the third trailer.
"Richard was wearing two shirts, and you could take his if he's still there," she offered, not knowing how to react to his silence. She couldn't figure out why he was silent. In fact, it frustrated her. George Wickham played guitar with Bad Temper on two songs, and William had not yet given her the music. It bothered her to think that he wouldn't want her to play with Bad Temper, and assumed it was because she'd ruin their boy band image. Screw the boy band image, she thought vehemently.
She didn't know the meaning behind his silence was completely attributed to the fact that he had become smitten with her. Smitten enough to ask Jane to hear their earliest demo tapes because there was a rumor that Elizabeth had sung on some of the songs because Emma was hoarse and Charlotte was shy. She unnerved him, plain and simple, and sometimes his hands ached because he wanted to pull the silver barrettes or the silver sticks from her hair and just touch it. He sighed, rather loudly causing her to stop and face him, a puzzled, angry look on her face.
"Listen, William, if I ever did something to make you angry, I'd appreciate if you tell me right now before we start this trip full swing. I don't want you glaring at me or making faces, because I promise you, I'm trying. I've wanted to be on a big label my whole life. Pemberley might be independent, but it's more than I've ever had, or ever wanted. I don't want to ruin Jane or Charlotte, or Emma's chances just because you're angry with me."
She looked at him so seriously, strong hands clenched at her sides, beautiful brown eyes glinting angrily at him. He swallowed convulsively, shivering in the moonlight without a shirt. "I'm not angry with you, Elizabeth. I'm sorry for the way I am. Let me tell you now that I think Lizard is hot." And I think you're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen.
They kept their gaze locked for another couple seconds and Elizabeth smiled. "Okay. Just so we're clear. If you do get mad at me, just tell me please? I'd like very much to be friends. I don't have that many friends on this trip, you know?"
He smiled. "What do you say we go try to find me that shirt? I'm really cold."
Turning to look at him once again, she tossed out coyly, "I know. I can see that."
Chapter 2 B
Elizabeth's inner conscience told her to ask him about 'Gina' on his arm, but she resisted. I don't really want to hear sob stories about an ex-girlfriend or a current girlfriend. She chalked it off to indifference, but couldn't ignore the tiny little pang of jealousy that ran briefly through her heart. Just because he's good looking and you're lonely does not make him the perfect target. Richard shows more interest anyway. She chuckled to herself, and William wondered what was going through her head.
While she rummaged through a suitcase in her trailer, he looked at the photographs in her trunk. "Who is this?"
Elizabeth looked up momentarily, "One of my sisters. That's Katie. The other ones in the other picture are Lydia and Mary."
William nodded, not offering any information on his family, "Is that your dad?"
"Yeah," she said, reply muffled.
"Mom?"
"Divorced. Haven't heard from her since I graduated. Here's a T-shirt for you. Sorry, I packed them under my underwear and forgot."
He held up the T-shirt. "Veruca Salt?"
She shrugged. "I know, it's pretty girlie."
"It's pink!"
"It's... Light purple."
He rolled his eyes. "Lead on, Macduff. I'm hungry."
Elizabeth chuckled and led him down the street to McDonalds, where they had a pleasant dinner and she returned to her trailer directly after bed. She longed for the next road stop when it was a hotel and not rented trailers to stay in during the night.
Disoriented, Elizabeth awoke a little after midnight to the sounds of shouting. Across the trailer in the other cot, Charlotte slept soundly, and Emma was curled next to Jeff on the floor. She rubbed her eyes tiredly and wanted to roll over, but the sound of glass breaking was enough to wake her up completely. Straining her ears, Elizabeth could make out William, Richard, and a few other voices.
She threw a sweatshirt over the tank top she slept in and a pair of shower shoes. "What the hell is going on out here," she demanded to know, hands on her hips, hair wild around her face.
"Nothing a little beer can't take care of," a sandy-haired man said, wielding a beer bottle menacingly.
"Lizzy, this is George Wickham from Ramsgate. George, this is Elizabeth Bennet from Lizard." Richard's introduction was sarcastic and exasperated.
"You're the chick who's taking over my tour," George spat. His guitarist, Alex Ramsey, shook his head as George stepped away from William and sauntered over to Elizabeth, still holding the bottle out like a weapon.
"You're drunk," Elizabeth countered. "I'm not taking over anything. I'm just the guitarist to a band that Pemberley Records signed. Okay?"
"You're a chick who is taking my opening spot in a few weeks, that's all I know," George growled angrily and came dangerously close. "You may be pretty but you're not any kind of musician."
"I still have your spot," she finally said, incredibly angry, and balled one hand into a fist.
He threw the bottle in front of her, where it promptly shattered. Shards of glass flew and nicked Elizabeth's arm. In complete shock, she missed William punching the proverbial junk out of George. Richard drove her to the hospital where she received seven stitches, and around three in the morning, he returned her back to the trailer where she could not fall asleep.
Fortunately, all the occupants of her trailer were awake and curious, and after she filled them in Elizabeth confessed that she wasn't sure signing on with Pemberley and the tour was such a good idea.
"Did anybody even think that Ramsgate would be angry? There are two more weeks and five show dates where it's still Ramsgate onstage. Why would we think they would just pack up and walk away?"
"How is your arm, Lizzy?" Charlotte peered at the angry looking black stitches under the bandage.
Elizabeth shrugged. "Getting my tattoo hurt more, actually. I'm not worried. I can still play guitar. I am worried about being here with Wickham, though."
"He was completely drunk and he acted like a complete bastard," Emma said, frowning. "Maybe you should press charges?"
"No," Elizabeth said, miserably, "I wasn't even supposed to be out there. I'm such a nuisance, guys, I don't know why William hasn't told me to get lost. He doesn't need me around here. It's only been a week and I already insulted his lawyer, insulted him, and instigated a fight that got me hurt. Maybe I should find somebody to take my place and go teach Calculus."
"Well, that's a bunch of bull and you know it," Charlotte argued, "We're all here because of you. So shut up, okay? Get it through your head that we're here because you can play. It absolutely drives me nuts to hear your pity tirades!"
Elizabeth stared at her friend, picked up the sweatshirt with the rip in the sleeve, and stormed out of the trailer again. Pity tirades? She thinks I have pity tirades? I haven't even mentioned the fact my stupid mother is sending Lydia to visit me when I get to Boston, or that William Darcy is driving me absolutely nuts!
She found herself back in McDonalds happy it was one of the 24-hour places and sat down in an empty booth with a pad of paper and a pen, letting the song lyrics come to her jumbled and confused mind.
Chapter 2 C
McDonalds
"Can I sit here?"
Elizabeth raised her head to see Richard smiling expectantly. She nodded.
"Lyrics, huh? You did seem pretty upset. What's wrong, is it your arm?"
She shook her head. "Am I really replacing Ramsgate?"
Richard shrugged. "Yeah, but they're not so great. I mean, we might keep some of the other members around for backup and stuff, but not George Wickham. Hey, I'm really sorry about your arm, sometimes he acts like a jackass when he's drunk."
"Well, I shouldn't have been out there in the first place," Elizabeth admitted, "I just heard glass breaking and thought we were being robbed or something."
Richard rolled his eyes. "Close enough. Wickham broke a couple of windows after he heard he only had three shows left on the tour before we parted ways. He'd give you a mouthful about William if you let him, too. I guess William promised his dad that he'd keep and eye on George, but I think that's impossible."
"I promised my mother I'd keep an eye on my sister," Elizabeth said with a chuckle, "but when Lydia went to live with her, I couldn't. Unfortunately, she's meeting up with us in Chicago. I'd rather you meet Katie or Mary, you'd get a better impression of the Bennet family."
"I like the one I have now, actually," Richard said warmly, and Elizabeth blushed.
"So, are you going to eat something? It's nearly morning," Elizabeth said, gesturing to her coffee that grew chilly after sitting for so long.
"Are you planning on sleeping?" Richard frowned comically at her and shook his head, "You haven't slept since last night and we're going on the road soon."
"I'll sleep then." She gathered her papers together and put the sweatshirt back on. "I'm really excited about our first opening show when we hit Cleveland. Where are we playing again?"
"Odeon," Richard replied, "Where you can touch the fans if you so choose."
Elizabeth offered him a wry smile and stood. "Are you coming? I probably should try to sleep." He rapped her lightly on the head in a brotherly fashion.
"I just told you to sleep."
She offered him a dazzling smile. "I know."
Chapter 3
At the next 3 tour dates, Lizard opened for Ramsgate, who opened for Bad Temper. The setup was good, George was being closely watched by some of the security officers that now accompanied them on the tour. There were only two more dates before Ramsgate dropped off the venue, guitarist Alex Ramsey and drummer Colin Hale staying behind as extras and fill-ins. Unfortunately, one of the last remaining dates was in Boston where Lydia Bennet was coming to visit her sisters.
Elizabeth and Jane had not seen Lydia for close to three years. Lydia was eighteen now, legally an adult, but going by what Katie Bennet had said after seeing Lydia a few weeks ago, she was no more mature than when Elizabeth had left for college. Elizabeth was five years older than her sister, Jane almost seven years.
Sighing inwardly, Elizabeth waited backstage, idly preparing for the show. Lydia had a pass and would join them as soon as she got there. Earlier that day, Elizabeth had warned Richard, William, Denny and Jeff of her arrival. Charlie was out of danger only because Lydia respected Jane's territory, being the proverbial older sister. Elizabeth pouted and began applying her deep plum lipstick. Out of nowhere, a whirling dervish entered the room.
"Lizzy!" Lydia had arrived, her brownish-blonde hair in a ponytail, a red shirt cut so low it left little to the imagination, and vinyl pants that accentuated a curvy figure.
"Lydia. So nice to see you," Elizabeth said, hugging her, hoping her voice didn't betray her feelings.
"I met some of the other bands already, and I saw Jane and her boyfriend, oh is he cute! Why did he dye his hair blue? Anyway, somebody told me I could stand on the side of the stage tonight so I thought I would and I had to go buy new clothes, what do you think? Oh! I'm so excited to be here Lizzy!"
Elizabeth took a deep breath. "I'm happy you're here, Lyddie. It's been a long time."
Not waiting for a reply, Elizabeth ducked behind a changing wall and pulled on the silver tank top she planned on wearing that night and a pair of black pants with silver racing stripes down the side. She stepped out and Lydia pouted.
"You always did look like you're in a band, Lizzy, can I borrow some clothes for tonight? Please?"
Lydia looked enviously at her sister's figure, wishing that she had gotten her father's genes rather than her mother's, but then remembered that the boys liked her anyway. She smiled, finally. "Never mind, I'll wear my own."
Jane swallowed a huge frown and pasted a silly grin on her face when she heard Lydia coming her way. "Lyddie!"
Hugging her sister, Lydia squealed with delight. "Jane! You look so good! Is it true? Are you with Charles Bingley of Bad Temper? Was that who he was?"
Blushing uncontrollably, Jane shrugged off the comment. It wasn't like her to divulge information, and while it had been a fun couple of weeks, she wasn't sure if it was more than a passing fling or not. It had been more than fun, she remembered, it had been intense, and she was happy. But now, now that Lizard was officially on tour, she would not be the Bennet sister everybody remembered and that bothered her to some extent.
There was no doubt that Elizabeth was amazing. Jane knew her voice could never compare to her sister's guitar playing, but wasn't that a crazy comparison anyway? She idly wondered how long she was to be on tour with them before they just took Elizabeth as a backup musician and sent the rest of the band home. Immediately after having the thoughts, Jane regretted them. She loved Elizabeth, trusted her, and wished her well. She just hoped that Lizard proved to be a good stand-alone band without being carried by her sister's prodigy.
Lydia, growing bored with Jane, left the room. Jane turned back to the mirror and began putting on some of her trademark glitter around her eyes. She sighed. Warm hands were placed on her shoulders, and through the mirror she saw Charlie smiling at her.
"Little sister putting a damper on things, Jane?"
Jane nodded a bit and shrugged ruefully. "Lydia is not always the easiest to handle. She makes Elizabeth edgy and me a bit nervous. I hated baby-sitting her as a kid, I was actually pretty happy when she decided to be with mother instead of the rest of us. Now I feel guilty for saying that out loud!"
Trailing his finger suggestively up her arm, Charles shook his head. "Don't feel guilty. I happen to know that you have almost forty-five minutes until your show. That gives you plenty of time to put on your makeup. It also gives you plenty of time to come check the... sound equipment with me."
Still gazing at his reflection through the mirror, Jane smiled. "I do like the way you think, Charlie. I think we should check out some of the speakers that are still on the tour bus. What do you think?"
He tugged on her hand. "I think it could be a big job and we'd better hurry."
They rushed out towards the back exit and onto the bus, completely undetected.
Fifteen minutes until showtime, Elizabeth, Charlotte, and Emma were frantic. Jane had not returned, but that didn't matter because nobody knew where she went in the first place. In all the uproar, nobody was watching Lydia, either. Jane's knee high Doc Martens were still sitting in her room backstage, her slippers missing, and William noted that Charles was missing as well.
"Elizabeth," William whispered, "I think she may be with Charles."
"I knew that," she hissed back, "but we're the first act on-stage!" She shivered in her tank top and he wordlessly handed her a leather jacket. His leather jacket. It was huge on her and she angrily paced backstage waiting for her sister.
Jane appeared not three minutes later, uncomprehending of why Elizabeth was angry, Emma was scolding Jeff for smoking, and Charlotte was painting her drumsticks. Elizabeth brushed past her sister and frowned. "We're on in five, Jane. Are you ready?"
Lacing her boots, Jane managed a small smile. "Of course I am. I'll be out there with everybody else."
Critically, Charlotte wiped a smudge of lipstick away from underneath Jane's mouth. "Honey, you might want to freshen up quickly. You look like you've been... Well, you look like you've been doing what you were doing. Hurry."
Jane scurried off and Elizabeth couldn't help but laugh. Her mind was preoccupied with Lydia for the time being, another missing sister.
Lydia had made her way down the hall and heard the faint sounds of an electric guitar without an amp. She stepped into the room and saw a sandy-haired man in a white undershirt and baggy blue jeans and felt her heart quicken. The tattoo on his arm was of a curvaceous woman, and Lydia ignored it for a second. She straightened her shirt and blurted a greeting.
He looked up. "Well, you must be a Bennet, just by looking at that hair," he quipped.
"I'm Lydia Bennet. I'm sorry I didn't recognize you before, but you're George Wickham. I saw you on poster once. Ramsgate?"
George nodded and smiled at her. She's cute, and she's Elizabeth's sister. What better way for revenge for Lizard taking over our spot than to use the baby Bennet? He beckoned her closer to him and sat her on the amp. "Do you play guitar, Lisa?"
"Lydia," she corrected, giving him a gorgeous smile, "Lydia. No, I don't. Do you want to teach me?"
He stood up, closed the door, and smiled lecherously. "If you'll let me, of course I will."